Chapter 58

Defeating Mega Swampert seemed simple, but even a slight mistake—or if Xie Mi had chosen Water Pulse under rain during the final clash—the battle might have dragged on longer.

Xie Mi loosened his scarf slightly to breathe in the fresh post-rain air, walking toward Luo Mu and Hai Dai, his expression calm: “Truly an artistic battle, Luo Mu. Thank you for accepting my challenge.”

Luo Mu was explaining the origin of his Terastal Zhu to the curious Hai Dai; hearing Xie Mi’s words, he turned to face the composed Xie Mi and smiled: “No problem. I learned a lot too—from my Cangyanrengui in this fight.”

“An honor,” Xie Mi bowed slightly, his lifelong habit, then turned curious eyes toward Luo Mu and Hai Dai: “From your earlier talk, the strange phenomenon on your Cangyan Rengui’s body during battle—is that called Terastallization?”

Hai Dai burst into laughter: “Yep! That’s a specialty of the Paldea region~”

“A perfectly fitting name—after Terastallization, Pokémon bodies glow like gemstones brimming with artistry.”

Hai Dai wholeheartedly agreed with Xie Mi’s description, then, as if remembering something, asked: “By the way... why did your Swampert evolve again during the battle?”

Since Hai Dai had already explained Terastallization to him, Xie Mi didn’t hold back: “That’s called Mega Evolution—using an item to unlock a Pokémon’s latent potential.”

Luo Mu said nothing during their exchange; after all, he understood both Terastallization and Mega Evolution well enough.

After a few brief words, Xie Mi and Hai Dai both turned their gazes toward Luo Mu.

Luo Mu felt a prickling unease under their stares; Xie Mi chuckled softly: “Today’s battle revealed gaps in my Swampert and me. Thank you again for accepting my sudden challenge.”

“And if you ever come to the Kalos region, I’ll host you fully—with my cooking and battles.”

“Can I take that as a second challenge invitation?” Luo Mu smiled and nodded. “Are you planning to leave Paldea, Mr. Xie?”

Hai Dai shook his head: “No, he’ll stay with me at the restaurant to co-research recipes for a while.”

Xie Mi silently confirmed Hai Dai’s answer.

Luo Mu nodded in understanding, summoned Dragonite, scooped up Wenshao and the small wooden box holding the cracked teapot, settled firmly onto Dragonite’s back, and declared with ease: “Since matters are settled, I’ll take my leave—the sky’s darkening, and I must get home before nightfall.”

Xie Mi and Hai Dai nodded, watching as Dragonite carried Luo Mu and Wenshao slowly upward until they vanished into the endless horizon.

Xie Mi stroked his chin, intrigued: “That Dragonite... seems strong too.”

Hai Dai let out a boisterous laugh: “Hah! Dragonite’s strong indeed—truth is, none of Luo Mu’s Pokémon are noticeably weak.”

“...Is that so.”

Xie Mi’s gaze grew deep: If Luo Mu had sent out this Dragonite instead of the Cangyan Rengui, which was weak against Mega Swampert, how would the battle have unfolded?

Miss Kalani was right—there are countless strong trainers in other regions; one shouldn’t grow complacent in Kalos, resting on the laurels of Elite Four status.

After leaving Bottle City, Dragonite maintained a steady speed toward Pingdie Town.

Gradually, the sky darkened sharply; clouds gathered, and the howling wind grew eerily mournful. Wenshao shrank deeper into Luo Mu’s arms, uneasy.

Though it dreamed of one day controlling such storm clouds, observing them this closely was still frightening.

Dragonite looked up at the sky, its simple eyes holding a hint of contemplation.

Even as a Haxorus, it had excelled at sensing and controlling weather.

Though after evolving into Dragonite, losing the three blue beads that aided its weather control had weakened that unique ability considerably,

Dragonite could still faintly sense—this rain would be massive.

Worried they’d encounter a downpour before reaching the farm, Dragonite silently increased its flight speed.

Unlike the Rain Dance that only covered the battlefield and its immediate surroundings, these clouds blanketed everything Luo Mu could see—clearly a sign of an approaching heavy storm or torrential rain.

Luo Mu felt relieved he hadn’t planted new seeds today; otherwise, they’d surely drown in this unmistakably torrential weather.

Though the farm had Pokémon that knew Sunny Day, even a Champion-level Pokémon’s power alone struggled to oppose nature.

Perhaps even a weaker Pokémon like Flareon could disperse this rain.

Luo Mu opened his mouth to tell Dragonite to fly faster, but Dragonite had already silently sped up—Luo Mu felt an odd, bittersweet pang, as if his child had grown up.

Gently stroking Wenshao’s back, which trembled at the storm’s fury, Luo Mu opened his mouth to say something to ease the tension.

At that moment, Dragonite’s two antennae twitched as if sensing something—it snapped its head upward, piercing through the clouds toward their deeper essence.

Electric energy was gathering within the clouds... No—must descend immediately!

“Bo Wu!” (Hold on tight!)

No time for graceful descent—Dragonite roared a warning, and as Luo Mu’s arms tightened around it, Dragonite retracted its wings, cutting all propulsion, plunging straight down in free fall.

Few wild Pokémon, especially those as weather-sensitive and powerful as Dragonite, could sense such danger; within the clouds, light began to flare—lightning and thunder, brewed to their peak, coalesced.

At the limit, as if a god punished the world, a deafening crack split the sky—a bolt of lightning tore through, illuminating the dark heavens as bright as noon.

A bird Pokémon, mostly red with white feathers covering its face and chest, flew through the sky. It lacked Dragonite’s acute perception or experience, nor the luck of other flying Pokémon that had already descended in fear.

A lightning strike hit it dead center.

Before it could react, its consciousness vanished—its once-prized feathers charred black.

With no control left, the Mailout Bird fell in free fall, its body smoking.